I'll let Arturia describe this in a bit. I played it and....well, it has a lot of promise, but being a prototype with various functions not working, the jury's still out for me. It sounded pretty cool, but didn't blow my socks off immediately, but really has a lot of promise. It's monophonic, paraphonic, and dual split, although the latter two functions did not work since it's a prototype. It also has various effects, all allegedly analog, according to the Arturia spokeswoman, but these were not functioning at this time either.

"The MatrixBrute is a programmable monophonic / duophonic analog synthesizer, outfitted with three ‘Brute’ oscillators, Steiner-Parker and ladder filters, three envelope generators, analogue effects and a matrix-style modulation matrix.

The modulation matrix at the heart of MatrixBrute offers thousands of potential modulation routings: assign any of 16 modulation sources to any of 16 modulation destinations (in MOD mode) and set the amounts of each modulation routing using the dedicated data encoder. Four of these destinations are user-programmable and can be seen in MaxiBrute’s E Ink (Electronic Ink) display.

The matrix also allows presets to be recalled at the touch of a (dedicated) button, in PRESET mode. 256 pre-programmed professional presets are available (or recall one of your own original sound creations).

Finally, the matrix can also be used as a 64-step sequencer, with separate STEP, ACCENT, SLIDE, and MODULATION options in SEQ mode.

To help maintain a 100% analogue signal path, MatrixBrute also incorporates true analog effects to its stereo output. You can chose from chorus, delay, and flanger with five operational modes. And you can use any of the analog effects as modulation destinations in the matrix."

I never had a chance to play or hear this modeling guitar from Vox. Here's how they describe it:

"Created to provide a wide range of sounds including electric guitar, acoustic guitar, synths and other stringed instruments, the Vox Starstream Type-1 is the ultimate instrument for players looking to redefine the electric guitar and what it can do.

Whether you are playing with a band, in the studio or practicing silently at night with headphones, the Starstream Type-1 offers exciting new possibilities.

Incorporating the AREOS-D system, the Starstream Type-1 is the latest evolution in onboard guitar electronics, furthering Vox’s reputation of breaking the boundaries when it comes to advanced guitar electronics.

Putting control over your sound at your fingertips, the system integrates several essential elements: magnetic pickups for authentic and classic electric guitar sounds; a piezo pickup system for rich-sounding traditional and acoustic instruments; a powerful DSP engine; familiar volume, tone and pickup selector controls and a Control Module that provides instant access to important tone-shaping parameters."

It’s a Circular Sequencer–No Computer Necessary

Traditional devices take a linear approach to sequencing, but ARQ is anything but traditional. For the first time, you can visualize your music as a true loop, up to 5 parts at a time.

Individual patterns or complete songs can be constructed one step at a time or by recording a real-time performance, with an onboard mixer for setting volumes, muting, and soloing. Instruments can be assigned to single or multiple pads and up to 3 parts can be created at a time. Up to 33 parts can be played back simultaneously, and the timbre or note of each part can be changed with the touch of a button. 400 patterns can be combined in any order to form a complete song, then flattened into an audio loop that can be played back from a single pad–all without the use of a computer.

It’s a Comprehensive Synthesizer

ARQ’s powerful sound engine offers 70 preset “one-shot” sounds–sampled waveforms that can be pitch-shifted as they are played over multiple pads–as well as an onboard synthesizer that allows you to build completely original timbres. Choose from 531 different oscillator types for sonic variety, then add digital effects such as filtering, delay, and reverb, along with sound-shaping controls like envelope generators and stepped or smooth modulation.

It’s a Loop(er)

ARQ allows you to create completely original loops from onboard sounds or patterns, or by capturing external audio. Set start and end points, change the pitch if desired, choose between forward or reverse playback, then assign each loop to a different controller pad. Up to 32 loops can be played simultaneously and synchronized to the same tempo. ARQ makes creating loops a lot more fun.

It’s a Wireless MIDI Controller

Use the Ring for wireless control of all your MIDI instruments and devices connected to your computer–samplers, synths, and drum machines, as well as MIDI-enabled effects processors. Its 96 pads are velocity-sensitive and can also send aftertouch (MIDI messages generated based on the pressure applied to the pads once they are being held down).

Accelerate your Performance

The Ring’s onboard 3-axis accelerometer can be used to change sounds and effects in real time. Wave and tilt it to alter onboard effects parameters and to generate MIDI control messages. You can even link it to your digital mixing console and use the accelerometer to fly sounds around the room. ARQ utilizes wireless Bluetooth LE for low power consumption, giving you lots of performance time between battery charges.

Break Out. Break Free. Break Away.

Take your performance to places you’ve never been before. Express yourself and get closer to your audience. Open up a world of new options for music production. Create in ways that were simply not possible until now.

This is the Roli Seaboard, which had a strong word of mouth going among keyboardists. It wasn't my thing. I found it too mushy. But it's likely something that you can get used to, and it is a cool controller. But it was much too spongy for my tastes.

Here's how Roli describes it: "For centuries, keyboardists have been forced to accept the velocity of their key strikes marking the end of that note's expressive potential. With the Seaboard GRAND, however, this interaction is merely the beginning. Intuitive gestures such as presses, bends and slides open new avenues to musical expression."

barely had a chance to play the Roland System-100, but it actually sounded cool. I believe this is analog modeling.

Roland describes it as "a modern reproduction of Roland’s now-legendary semi-modular SYSTEM-100 monosynth. It integrates the features of the original Model 101 Synthesizer and Model 102 Expander units to deliver a fat and uniquely versatile, two-oscillator monosynth with modular routing capabilities. Designed for use with Roland’s SYSTEM-1 and 1m, as well as Mac and PC hosts, the new SYSTEM-100 uses Analog Circuit Behavior to faithfully recreate every detail of the warm, expansive sound of the original. "

I went to the Roland room specifically to see El Cajon, a cajon that triggers samples.

As described by Roland: "Unique and versatile, the EL Cajon EC-10 allows cajon players to easily enhance their music with layered electronic sounds. To start, the EC-10 is an authentic acoustic cajon that sounds great on its own. What’s more, it has Roland’s renowned electronic percussion technology built in, letting you blend a range of complementary sounds with the cajon voice, from traditional percussion like tambourine and shaker to acoustic snare, electronic drums, sound effects, and more. Completely self-contained with battery power and onboard amplification, the EL Cajon EC-10 puts the dynamic world of hybrid percussion in the hands of every cajon enthusiast."I wasn't sure if I would like it, but most of the percussion samples were useful, and except for the woefully stupid scratching/"yeah" sounds, most were desirable. And yes, it acts as a "regular" acoustic cajon if you choose not to have it trigger the samples. Nice.

I met Mitchell Brown (Nanny Cantaloupe) at the Earthquaker Devices booth. I had a feeling that if I had put all their effects pedals through their paces, I would want to snap up at least half of them. This Rainbow Machine, a cool sounding harmonizer of sorts, was probably my personal favorite. I'll pick this up at some point. I was feeling totally inspired to throw some of this cool stuff on The Mercury Seven's next album.

Here's how Earthquaker Devices describes this:

"Welcome to the Rainbow Machine, in all its synthetic glory! This one is for experimenters, adventurists and noisemakers. Totally not for purists and/or tone hounds, there are no “natural sounds” that will come from this box. It takes modern DSP and uses it as a tool of future past to create real time pitch shifting using digital oscillators. The sound is much different than most modern day pitch shifting devices. It was imagineered to be wild and out of control and slightly imperfect while still tracking up and down the guitar neck without glitching out. A cold digital beast made to pretend it has feelings. It will do basic polyphonic harmonies from a 4th down through a 3rd up and every atonal pitch in between. You may add in an accompanying octave of the harmony by bringing up the Secondary function control. You can take it way beyond and open up your third eye by bringing in the Magic. The Magic is the heart of the Rainbow Machine. In conjunction with the Tracking control, the Magic creates wild pitch take offs and descents, chaos chorusing, shrieks, pixie trails and wealth of other general mayhem inducing noises. The pitch can be controlled by an external expression pedal for extra fun! The Rainbow Machine can be used on bass, keys, vocals or anything else you can dream up! This device has become a main stay of so many studios and touring musicians that we have lost count! All digital wet signal with an all analog dry signal, true bypass switching and handmade one at a time by warm blooded human beans in the swamps of Akron, Ohio."